Welcome to the podcast show notes and transcript for Episode 11: Dutch Secrets To Raising Happy Kids. In this episode Rachel Heller and I speak with Rina Mae Acosta (writer at Finding Dutchland and co-author of The Happiest Kids In The World). The Dutch system works to stress the importance of family bonding as a whole and individually between each parent with the children. Even fathers are encouraged by their employers to spend time with their children. Rina’s examples show why family is important to create happy kids. It’s all about time spent together (not the money spent) which results in a happy childhood. For example, the Dutch are big on camping and caravanning on their holidays. All of us parents want happy kids so I think listening to how the Dutch create happy childhoods will be really beneficial.

Time Stamped Show Notes

1:20 A Happy Childhood is a Well-Kept Dutch Secret

5:34 Encouraging Age-Appropriate Independence in Children

6:41 Employers Recognise Why Family Is Important

8:20 The Importance of Family Bonding on Long Vacations

9:50 Why The Cinque Terre is Great With Kids

13:05 Spend Time With Your Kids in Nature

18:00 The Book Tour For The Happiest Kids In The World

23:18 Happy Kids Have Rest and Regularity

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Welcome to the podcast show notes and transcript for Episode 10: The Liberation Route Europe of the Allies in WW2. In this episode Rachel Heller and I speak with Jeroen van Wieringen, who is with Liberation Route Europe, the foundation promoting greater knowledge of the route the Allied troops took to take back Europe from the Nazis during World War II. Many people know about and visit the D Day beaches in Normandy France. There are, however, many more sites to visit which show the slow but inexorable march towards Berlin of the Allied forces.

Time Stamped Show Notes

00:36 What is Liberation Route Europe?

2:14 The Path of the Allies in WW2

3:41 Beyond the D Day Beaches

4:34 The Highlights of Liberation Route Europe

6:42 The Battle of Arnhem

8:18 The Route’s Foundation Status

10:17 Visiting the Route with Kids

11:17 Visiting the Route with the Mobility Impaired

11:57 The Liberation Route In Berlin

12:56 The American Friends Fund

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Welcome to the podcast show notes and transcript for Episode 9: Retracing . In this episode Rachel Heller and I speak with travel blogger, Debra Thompson, who writes at Just Short of Crazy. A self-confessed Laura-looney, Deb and her friend have done two 1 week roadtrips retracing the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. The Little House on the Prairie books cover a vast swathe of the USA from Minnesota to South Dakota. It’s hard to imagine how families in the 19th century covered this distance in a covered wagon facing un uncertain future and an unfriendly reception. Listen and see if you become a Laura Looney, too!

Time Stamped Show Notes

0:55 Retracing the Laura Ingalls Wilder Books

1:45 Pa Was A Rolling Stone

3:16 Staying in a Sod House Hotel

6:37 The Prairie Homestead Museum

8:48 Life In a Covered Wagon

15:54 The Home that Laura Wrote All Her Books

17:56 The Next Literary Road Trip

21:05 Detours Along The Way

24:16 A Laura Ingalls Wilder Roadtrip Book in Process

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(strong language included)

Choosing A Wild Animal Sanctuary When You Volunteer in Africa. In this episode Rachel Heller and I speak with travel blogger, Maria Hart, who writes at Travelling With Hart about responsible tourism. Maria tells us of her experience volunteering at N/a’ankuse, a wildlife rescue centre in Namibia. Listen and see if you fall for some of the heartwarming tales of wildlife in this story.

Time Stamped Show Notes

0:42 Choose a Wild Animal Sanctuary

2:56 The N/a’n kuse Research Center

4:35 New Skills Learned: Animal Caterer

5:53 The Care and Feeding of Baboons

7:06 Learning About Baboon Society

12:36 The School of Peculiar Animals

14:32 Volunteer in Africa

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Episode7: All You Need To Know About Cargo Ship Travel. In this episode Rachel Heller and I speak with travel blogger and travel guide book author, Rebecca Hall, who writes at Life Beyond Borders Blog. She has spent many years living in Greece and written a fictionalised account of life in a small Greek town. In addition, she has done several trips as a passenger on a container ship. If you are happy in your own company for an extended period of time, cargo ship travel may offer an affordable way to travel the world. Listen and decide for yourself.

Time Stamped Show Notes

0:33 Stepping Out Of Your Comfort Zone

3:44 Feeling More Greek Than British

6:47 The Tip on Tipping

9:04 One Hand Gesture You Should Never Make

11:00 Girl Gone Greek

13:35 Cargo Ship Travel

15:15 Life As A Container Ship Passenger

17:26 Pirates Aaaargh!

18:26 Karaoke Nights

20:03 Amenities On Board

23:47 Tips for First Time Cargo Travel Passengers

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Episode 6: Travel Tips from 27+ Trips To France

In this episode Rachel Heller and I speak with Francophile travel blogger, Janice Chung, who writes an everything related to France Travel Blog at France Travel Tips. She loves France so much that she has made 27+ trips to France (with no signs of stopping anytime soon). So you figure this lady knows what she’s talking about - including tips on Must See France, where to take the best French immersion course and the best active holidays in France such as cycling and running. Janice’s love for France is contagious. Listen and see if you catch the Francophile bug.

Time Stamped Show Notes

00:42 27+ Trips To France

1:56 Janice’s Must See France

2:00 I love Paris In The Springtime (... and Summer, Fall and Winter)

3:22 Provence Makes Three In This Love Affair

6:37 Cycling in France (With Pitstops at Wineries)

8:35 Why French Women Don’t Get Fat

12:22 Tips on French Faux Pas To Avoid

16:27 Running Marathons in France

21:23 Staying in a Hotel versus Renting an Apartment

23:21 French Immersion Courses

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Welcome to the podcast show notes and transcript for Episode 5: Putting the Boom in Baby Boomer Travel. In this episode Rachel Heller and I speak with travel blogger, Vicki Winters, who has an enthusiasm for life that is infectious. She shares with us her plans to bring social media to the senior crowd as well as her zany adventures with videos and live streaming. Can she put the boom in baby boomer travel? Listen and find out.

1:10 When Dinosaurs Roamed NYC

2:38 Putting The Boom in Baby Boomer Travel

5:35 It Takes Two To Make A Drone Go Right

8:46 In Search of Currywurst in Berlin

11:38 The Eternal Vagueness of Vlogging

14:58 Social Media For Senior Travel

17:53 Regrets I’ve Had A Few

19:48 You Call It Chaos; I Call It Life

21:07 Ain’t Nobody Got Time For Perfection

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